Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Hard Earned

Did you know that Michelle Obama, our current First Lady, has blown every record ever set by any previous First Lady? I'm not talking about records concerning donations to charities, or visiting third world countries. I'm talking about the money spent on her own personal entourage. Here are a few numbers for the 22 person staff*:

  • $172,200 - Chief of Staff
  • $140,000 - Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of Policy and Projects for the First Lady
  • $113,000 - Special Assistant to the President and White House Social Security
  • $102,000 - Special Assistant to the President and Director of Communications for the First Lady
  • $90,000 - Deputy Chief of Staff to the First Lady
  • $84,000 - Director and Press Secretary to the First Lady
  • $75,000 Director of Scheduling and Advance for the First Lady
  • $70,000 - Deputy Director of Policy and Projects for the First Lady
  • $65,000 - Deputy Director and Deputy Social Secretary
  • N/A - Deputy Director and Deputy Social Secretary
  • $62,000 - Deputy Director of Scheduling and Events Coordinator for the First Lady
  • $60,000 - Deputy Director of Advance and Trip Director for the First Lady
  • N/A - Special Assistant and Personal Aide to the First Lady
  • $52,000 - Associate Director and Deputy Press Secretary to the First Lady
  • $50,000 - Special Assistant for Scheduling and Traveling Aide to the First Lady
  • $45,000 - Associate Director of Correspondence for the First Lady
  • N/A - Associate Director of Correspondence for the First Lady
  • $40,000 - Executive Assistant to the Chief of Staff to the First Lady
  • $36,000 - Staff Assistant to the Chief of Staff to the First Lady
  • N/A - Staff Assistant
  • N/A - Deputy Associate Director of Correspondence for the First Lady

Now, if any of who have read my previous blogs, you know that I am a red blooded American.**. I love this country!!!! But, this is ridiculous. I mean seriously?! OVER $1,258,200 a year for the First Lady's personal entourage? Really? That's not even talking about the President himself!

God bless you, America! Better put in a little extra elbow grease at work. How else would Mrs. Obama be able to pay someone to put in her earrings for you?!


*Some members of her staff did not have an exact dollar number, but this list is in order from highest paid to lowest paid.
**I am eternally grateful to live in a country where I am free to express my thoughts.